A strong advisor can be one of your chapter’s greatest resources, but the best advisor relationships happen when student leaders know how to work with them effectively.
Your advisor is there to guide, support and advocate for your chapter, not run it for you.
Here are a few ways to build a stronger advisor partnership:
1. Set Expectations Early
At the beginning of the year, sit down with your advisor and talk about:
- How often you will meet
- How they prefer to communicate
- What requires advisor approval
- What officers are responsible for
- Important school or university deadlines
- What your chapter wants to accomplish that year
2. Come Prepared
Instead of saying:
“We need help with our event.”
Give your advisor:
- Event date and time
- Location
- Expected attendance
- Budget
- What has already been completed
- What you specifically need from them
The easier you make it for your advisor to understand the situation, the easier it is for them to help.
3. Inquire About Their Campus Knowledge
Your advisor may understand university processes that student leaders are still learning.
Ask them about:
- Funding
- Travel approval
- Room reservations
- Contracts
- Purchasing
- Student organization requirements
- Important deadlines
- Campus contacts
A short conversation early on can prevent major problems later.
4. Expand Each Other's Network
Advisors often have connections with:
- Alumni
- Faculty
- Local businesses
- Industry professionals
- Potential speakers
- Competition judges
- Employers
Before asking your advisor for introductions, do the preparation first.
For example:
- Create the sponsorship packet
- Identify companies you want to approach
- Prepare your event details
- Know exactly what you are asking for
Then ask whether they know someone who may be a good fit.
5. Keep Them Updated
Your advisor should not be the last person to know what your chapter is doing.
Send regular updates about:
- Upcoming events
- Important deadlines
- Competition plans
- Travel
- Membership numbers
- Chapter challenges
- Major decisions
Updates do not have to be long. Even a quick weekly or biweekly check-in can make a major difference.
6. Lead Before You Ask Them to Lead
Your advisor is there to advise.
Student officers should still be responsible for:
- Planning events
- Communicating with members
- Developing ideas
- Delegating responsibilities
- Solving problems
- Making decisions
If something goes wrong, try to bring possible solutions.
Instead of:
“What should we do?”
Try:
“We have three options. Which one do you think would work best?”
7. Respect Their Time
Advisors are often balancing:
- Classes
- Meetings
- Research
- Committees
- Students
- Other campus responsibilities
Help them support your chapter by:
- Giving advance notice
- Avoiding last-minute requests
- Meeting deadlines
- Keeping information organized
- Clearly explaining what you need
8. Show Appreciation
A simple thank-you can go a long way.
Consider:
- A handwritten note
- Advisor appreciation post
- Chapter recognition
- Small thank-you from the officer team
- Recognizing them at your banquet or end-of-year event
Your advisor may contribute hours of work that members never see.
The Advisor Partnership Checklist
Before the semester gets busy, make sure your chapter can answer:
- Do we know how our advisor prefers to communicate?
- Do we have regular advisor check-ins?
- Does our advisor know our chapter goals?
- Do we understand what requires their approval?
- Are we giving them enough notice?
- Are officers taking ownership of the chapter?
- Are we keeping our advisor informed?
- Have we thanked them lately?
The strongest chapters are not necessarily the ones whose advisors do the most.
They are the chapters where students lead, advisors guide and both sides communicate consistently.
